There’s no arguing that hummingbirds are beautiful and fascinating creatures, even more so up close. Having a compact, easy-to-carry hand-feeder is such a wonderful way to bond with your local hummingbird population.
It not only benefits these gorgeous birds but creates an intimate experience for you to anticipate daily.
Hummingbird feeders come in various types and shapes. There are dish feeders, bottle feeders, and even fancy blown glass feeders. So, what makes the hand-feeder the better option?
Handheld feeders are simple in their design and execution; they’ll never bother you with any complications. Plus, they’re so much easier to clean.
That said, stick around to learn about the best hummingbird hand feeder available today!
Best Hummingbird Hand Feeders
1. Maggift Trees Hummingbird Button Feeder – Best for Beginners
- Weight:1.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 1 inches
This brightly-colored flower-shaped feeder might look simple at first, but its biggest asset is in just that: its simplicity.
It’s super easy to use and clean. After all, the feeder is made of two primitive components: a shallow base and a punctured lid. All you have to do is pour the nectar inside, and voila, you have a simple handheld feeder!
Author Note: This feeder comes with packs of hummingbird baby safe mix, instructions tips, two cleaning brushes, and all-natural nesting material, making it the perfect toolkit for a beginner.
2. AROMA TREES Handheld Hummingbird Feeder – Most Versatile
- Weight: 0.16 ounces
- Dimensions: 1.25 x 1.25 x 1.25 inches
Unlike the Maggift Trees Hummingbird Button Feeder, this product is smaller, lighter, and has more than one use. It can be used both as a handheld feeder and a window feeder.
The Aroma Trees Feeder is made out of four components: a base, a lid, a suction cup that will help it stick to the glass of the window, and a small perch.
This feeder is great if you’re not always present during the birds’ feeding hours but want to make them familiar with your backyard anyway.
Plus, its compact and lightweight design helps everyone, from children to adults to elders, enjoy the experience with the least amount of muscle strain possible.
One downside is that it may be hard to clean if you don’t empty it immediately after use. The longer you wait, the stickier the nectar will get and the more difficult it’ll be to remove.
Its small size, while being its greatest asset, will only make it harder to clean if you don’t do it daily.
This multi-use feeder comes with five suction cup window mounts with perches and wires with flashy red beads to help attract even more hummingbirds.
3. ZUMMR Hummingbird Ring Feeder – Most Compact
- Weight: 0.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 2 inches
This feeder might look a bit flimsy at first, but you’ll be surprised by how versatile this tiny feeder is.
Its compact design in the form of a ring makes it one of the most unique feeders to own, not to mention one of the most practical. It’s easy to hold and it’s lightweight so you won’t fatigue your hands. It’s also one of the best-priced options out there.
And yes, using it is as easy as it looks. Just take away the petals and fill them with nectar. You can also fill it through the opening within the center of the petals with a syringe.
Author Note: The Zummer Ring feeder is BPA-free, fade-resistant, and dishwasher-safe. It also comes in seven dazzling colors.
4. Perky-Pet 9100 Hummingbird Feeder – Best Capacity
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 1.9 x 3.75 x 6.1 inches
Though the Perky-Pet feeder has a large nectar reservoir, it’s designed to fit comfortably in your hand, making it easier to keep steady while your feathered friends dine.
It’s elegantly designed with three flower-like ports in mesmerizing royal purple. It’s also designed to be a bee guard.
The feeding ports have a tapered “stem” that’s solely created for the access of hummingbirds. This clever little trick will save from worrying about attracting bees without any extra parts that would’ve needed routine cleaning.
This feeder can also hold up to a couple of ounces of nectar, which is more than any handheld feeder can in the current market. This makes its compact shape even more impressive.
Its ports and lids are removable in a dish-style design so they can be easily cleaned.
5. Aspects Gem Window Feeder – Best for Ease of Use
- Weight: 1.76 ounces
- Dimensions: 1 x 4 x 6 inches
Similar to the Aroma Tree Feeder, this feeder can convert from a window feeder to a handheld one, but with a bigger nectar reservoir.
It’s super easy to fill and clean, seeing as it’s dishwasher-safe. So, say goodbye to sticky bottles and lids!
The feeder is made out of three parts: a small tube, a decorated dropper, and a suction cup. The red flowers attached to the other end of the feeder have an intentional realistic look to attract your local hummingbirds effortlessly.
However, one thing to put into consideration is its vertical shape, which is great for a window feeder, but impractical for a handheld one.
One saving grace it possesses, though, is its ability to familiarize hummingbirds with being hand-fed with its realistic flower feeders and its convertible feature.
How to Invite Hummingbirds Over
Hummingbirds may look dainty, but they’re actually wicked smart. Their brain is a lot larger in comparison to body size than any other bird, and they’ve got an outstanding memory.
It’s for that reason that you should consider how to invite the hummingbirds over, as once they do, they’ll probably remember you and pay you regular visits.
Top Tip: Note, however, that they won’t approach unless they feel safe and the reward of delicious nectar is clear.
6 Tips on How to Invite Hummingbirds Over
- Learn their feeding schedule. Hummingbirds can be seen feeding several times during the day. When narrowed down, their favorite times to feed are usually at dusk and dawn, or around the hours revolving around these two times. It differs from one season to the other.
That’s why it’s advised to take note of the times you notice your local hummingbirds feeding throughout the year. You’ll more likely catch them if you’re both outside. And so, it’s important to check the peak feeding times before leaving your house.
- Stay still. The most important thing you should display is goodwill and a sense of security so that your feathery friends feel safe enough to approach. The easiest way to do so is by keeping yourself calm and steady as they approach the feeder.
As you might be stranded outside for a while, a great trick would be to find a table or a comfortable fence to brace your arm against.
- Wear something flashy and bright. If you’re a hummingbird lover, you’ll probably know that these bright beauties are themselves attracted to bright colors.
The more reflective and brighter the surface, the more intrigued they will be! If you don’t have time to cover yourself with flamboyant colors, not to worry, wearing a bold red would be enough. This is a good idea when looking for hummingbirds, whether you are in Florida or Michigan.
- Clean regularly. Handheld feeders are incredibly easy to clean. All you have to do is use mild soap and a water solution. Routine cleaning is key!
- Be patient. Hummingbirds aren’t very sociable creatures and often prefer solidarity, so being patient with them is imperative.
If you fail at first, don’t give up, and keep on waiting for them outside at their time of feeding. The experience will be worth it.
- Choose the right feeder. It’s needless to say that choosing the right feeder is essential to inviting hummingbirds over.
How to use a Handheld Hummingbird Feeder
Handheld hummingbird feeding is chanting to experience, but it needs diligence, patience, and skill. With a lot of perseverance and some helpful tips, you’ll prevail.
Here is how you can use a handheld feeder with hummingbirds:
- Introduce the feeder. The first thing you’d want to do is make the hummingbirds accustomed to the feeder first. Whether it’s a window feeder or tabletop one, place your feeder somewhere safe but approachable, favorably in the vicinity of hummingbird-friendly flowers or other feeders.
- Wait for a while. Before you barge into the equation, you need to make sure that the hummingbirds are feeling secure so that they won’t fly away. Continue to keep the feeder clean and full of fresh nectar. The more they use it, the more comfortable they will become.
- Introduce yourself. Once hummingbirds are used to the feeder and have been using it regularly, slowly introduce yourself. Start with sitting somewhere nearby to make them familiar with your presence. Then, bit by bit, step closer to the feeder till you’re right next to them.
- Hold the feeder. Steadily and confidently, start approaching the feeder while the hummingbirds are engaged with it, and slowly hold it in your hands. Spend as much time as possible with them so they get used to you. Stay steady, and they might even use your finger as a perch!
What to Look Out for in a Hand-Feeder
You might find a lot of handheld feeders that look brilliant but end up being less than functional. They either leak, are difficult to clean, or break easily.
Here are some features to look out for when buying a handheld hummingbird feeder:
- Ease of cleaning. If the feeder is difficult to clean, leftover nectar can turn into mold and it might grow inside the hummingbird food. If the nectar appears cloudy, or you see black residue (mold) change immediately.
Top Tip: It’s generally advised to change the nectar in no more than four days—being changed more often in warmer weather—as nectar gets bad after five.
- Material. Recyclable plastic is the best material for feeders as its surface is relatively easy to clean and doesn’t break easily. Being BPA-free and fade-resistant is a plus.
- Size and nectar capacity. It’s crucial to consider how much nectar your feeder holds. In this case, a smaller one is better. Nectar has a short shelf-life, and so smaller amounts of it should be distributed over a longer period of time.
- Design and color. It’s no secret that bright colors and a realistic design play a huge role in attracting hummingbirds to your backyard. So, make sure your feeder displays bright colors—predominately red—and has realistic flower ports.
Conclusion
There are a few things in life that are as mesmerizing as having one of nature’s tiniest, most dazzling creatures eat right from the palm of your hand.
However, hummingbirds are hardly social and you might need some effort to be able to invite them over to your backyard.
First, you have to choose the right feeder; one with a bright color and realistic flower-like ports to signal to your local hummers that there’s food at your place. You too can wear brilliant colors if you want them to be comfortable around you.
The feeder can be a solely hand-held one or a convertible window feeder that can help you during the first steps of acquaintance.
The size and nectar-holding capacity all boils down to your preferences. However, all feeders should be easy to clean, lightweight, and not made of breakable materials.
All in all, it’s safe to say that hand-feeding is no simple task, but with some perseverance and determination, you’ll find that it’s worth it!
FAQ
Yes, you can fill up a bowl with sugar water. It may take the hummingbirds longer to find it but they will sip from it. As the sugar water is exposed, it is really important that it is changed regularly and the bowl cleaned. Sugar water goes off quickly and may make the birds sick.
Try your local garden shop or online specialty shops. Amazon also has a range.
Easy! To mimic flowers that will attract the birds to the feeder.
